Replaceable nozzle for drill bits



Oct. 7, 1958 L. L. PAYN REPLACEABLE NOZZLE FOR DRILL BITS Filed April 5; 1954 [.y/e L. Pay/7 e INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y United States Patent REPLACEABLE NOZZLE FOR DRILL BITS Lyle L. Payne, Houston, Tex., assiguor to Hughes Tool Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,994

9 Claims. (Cl. 255-314) This invention relates to a well drilling bit and more particularly to the provision of a flushing fluid nozzle therefor which may be easily installed, or replaced by a nozzle of different size or internal contour.

The bit to which the invention pertains may be of any conventional form wherein a flushing fluid is pumped downwardly therethrough and is directed by the nozzle to a desired portion of the bottom of the well bore. It is customary to provide a nozzle of wear resistant material such as cast tungsten carbide, sintered tungsten carbide, a ceramic material or other wear resistant material. Diflicnlty has been experienced in securing such nozzles in place as by welding, brazing, cementing and the like, and the installation of the nozzle must of necessity be carried out in a well equipped shop. The present invention provides a structure wherein the nozzles may be easily installed in the field and hence replacement with nozzles of a selected size may be effected so that a bit can be readily adapted to properly utilize the hydraulic replaced but which is held securely in place and at the same time a seal between the nozzle and the bit head is assured throughout the useful life of the bit structure.

Another object is to provide a well drill in which the exit of the passage for flushing fluid from interior to the exterior of the drill is counterbored to provide a shoulder which determines the final operating position of the nozzle mounted therein, a releasable fastening means being operable to hold the nozzle in place.

Still another object is to provide a releasable nozzle having a fluid tight seal with the surrounding structure to prevent leakage.

The foregoing objects together with other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from a consideration of the following specification together with the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a conventional well drill shown partly in section and showing an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an alternate arrangement of the sealing means between the nozzle and the bit body;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 but showing an alternate sealing structure used when the nozzle is insertable from within the bit head.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings a drill bit of the rolling cutter type is shown at 1 and comprises the head 2 having downwardly extending legs 3 within which are mounted the rolling cutters 4 as is well known in the art. The head 2 has peripheral downwardly extending bosses 5 and within each boss is a passage 6 which communicates between the interior and exterior of the bit head for the flow of flushing fluid which emerges from the passage by Way of the nozzle 7 shown in greater detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. While a bit of the rolling cutter type is shown it is to be understood that the invention may also be utilized with other types of bits and the invention alsocomprehends the use of a single fluid passage in the bit or a plurality of such passages.

To provide a suitable mounting for the nozzle 7, the passage 6 is counterbored at 8 to form a shoulder 9,. which as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive faces downwardly and forms an abutment for the upper end of the nozzle. The internal diameter of the counterbore 8 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the nozzle 7 whereby the nozzle may be readily slid into the counterbore or removed therefrom.

In order to releasably secure the nozzle 7 within the counterbore 8 a peripheral groove 10 is formed in the wall of the counterbore spaced a suificient distance from the shoulder 9 that the nozzle, when in terminal position, lies between the shoulder 9 and such groove. After the nozzle is in place within the counterbore 8 a snap ring 11 is contracted and is permitted to expand and enter the groove 10. This ring is of such axial thickness that it fits snugly within the groove 10 and is of such radial diameter that it underlies a portion of the lower face of the nozzle. It seems apparent that any outward thrust upon the nozzle 7 is resisted by the shear strength of the snap ring 11 and in this manner the nozzle is securely held in place at all times while the bit is in use.

The nozzle 7 is interiorly contoured as shown at 12 to provide a streamlined reduction in cross section so that the velocity of the flushing fluid is greatly increased as it passes through the nozzle. There is, therefore, a large pressure drop between the entrance and the exit of the nozzle and this hydraulic condition effects a force which tends to extrude the nozzle from within the counterbore 8. This force is overcome by the snap ring 11 in the manner just described.

At the same time there is a tendency for the flushing fluid to bypass the nozzle between the wall of the counterbore and the outer cylindrical surface of the nozzle. To avoid such leakage there is provided a fluid tight seal about the nozzle such as is effected by means of an annular groove at the interface of the nozzle and the surrounding wall of the counterbore and sealing means therein to provide the desired resistance against leakage.

As shown in Fig. 1 the nozzle 7 has a peripheral groove 15 into which is compressed a seal ring 16 of deformable material, such as rubber, such ring normally having an oval or circular radial cross section. It is to be understood that the seal ring 16 may be of any suitable flexible deformable material and that the dimensions of the ring with relationship to the groove 15 is such that the ring is under initial compression when installed in the groove and the nozzle is in position within the counterbore 8.

Fig. 3 shows an alternate arrangement for providing an efiicient fluid tight seal about the nozzle 7. In this form the groove 15' to receive the seal ring 16 is formed in the softer metal of the bit head 2 and at the same time the groove does not in any way aifect the strength of the nozzle nor does it entail formation of the groove in the harder material of the nozzle.

The construction, assembly and mode of operation of the structure embodying the invention is believed apparent from the foregoing. By way of reiteration it should be pointed out that the outer end of the passage 6 is provided with a counterbore 8 which forms the shoulder 9 spaced from the end of the passage. The groove 15 in the nozzle as shown in Fig. l or the groove 15' as shown on the inner wall of the counterbore in Fig. 2 is provided with a seal ring 16 of suitable dimensions and material. The nozzle is then inserted into the counterbore until the inner end of the nozzle engages the shoulder 9 after which the snap ring 11 is Fatented Oct. 7, 1958 located within the groove 10 at the lower end of the counterbore. The nozzle is thus held securely but releasably, in place and the seal ring 16 serves to prevent leakage of fluid past the nozzle.

Quite obviously the nozzle 7 or 7 can be removed by merely retracting and removing the snap ring 11 and then sliding the nozzle from within its associated counterore In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, an enlargement 8' is formed inwardly'from the end 19 of the boss and in this manner there is provided an internal and upwardly facing shoulder 20 proximate the end of the boss. The lower end of the nozzle 7"" is reduced peripherally at 21 to slidably enter the bore below the shoulder 20. This reduction in cross section also forms a downwardly facing shoulder 22 on the nozzle and above which the diameter of the nozzle is such as to slidably fit within the enlargement 8'.

The reduced portion 21 of the nozzle 7"" is also provided with a peripheral groove 23' which is so spaced from the shoulder 22 that the seal ring 16 is sufliciently compressed to form a fluid tight seal when the groove 23 lies just below the end 19 of the boss 5. A snap ring is then expanded and placed about the lower end of the nozzle and permitted to enter the groove 23 so that a radially extending portion of the ring, overlies the end 19 of the boss. It thus seems apparent that the structure shown in Fig, 4 functions in an identical manner as those shown in Figs. 1' to 3 and is such: that replacement of the nozzle may be readily effected while at the same time a fluid seal about the nozzle is assured atall times during the normal and useful life ot the nozzle;

Broadly the invention comprehends the provision of a replaceable nozzle in earth boring hits, the structure being such that the nozzle may be readily installed or replaced and an eflicient seal is-provided about the nozzle to resist leakage during normal operation.

The invention claimed is:

1'. In a rotary drillbit: a body having cutter means mounted thereon and a passage for discharging. drilling fluid to one side of saidv cutter means and against the bottom. of the well bore being drilled by the drillbit, the lower. portion of said passage having an enlarged bore oftcircular cross-section. providinga downwar-ly facing shoulder in the upper endofsaid enlarged bore; said enlarged bore being disposedto one side of the longitudinal axis of the body to provide access to said enlarged bore with said. cutter means mounted on said body; a replaceable hard, britt1e;. substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle of circular cross-section adapted to be slipped upwardlyv and without rotation into said enlarged bore with the upper end of said nozzle adjacent said shoulder while said cutter means is mounted on said body; said nozzle terminatingwithin said body; but proximate the lower' end thereof andhavingan internal diameter at its lower portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle at its upper end; said body having a groove therein" surrounding said nozzle; an annular seal in said groove engagingthe side exterior of said nozzleto'prevent fluid-leakage around said nozzle exterior; and a removable annular retainer member mounted in said body and engaging said body and said nozzle at the lower end ofsaid-nozzle to retain said nozzle adjacent said shoulder and prevent downward movement of said nozzle from said enlarged bore, said retainer member being adapted to be mounted in engagement with said body and nozzle while said cuter means is mountedv on said body;

2. Ina rotary drill. bit: a body having cutter means mounted thereon and-a passage for discharging drilling fluid to one side of said cutter means and againstthe bottom of the well bore being drilled by the drill bit, the lower portion of said passage having an enlarged bore of circular: cross-section providing a. downwardly facing shoulder" in the upperend of saidtenlargedbore; said enlarged bore being disposed to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body to provide access to said enlarged bore with said cutter means mounted on said body; a replaceable hard, brittle, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle of circular cross-section adpated to be slipped upwardly and without rotation into said enlarged bore with the upper end of said nozzle adjacent said shoulder while said cutter means is mounted on said body; said nozzle terminating within said body but proximate the lower end thereof and having an internal diameter at is lower partion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle at its upper end; said body having a groove therein surrounding said nozzle; an annular seal in said groove engaging the side exterior of said nozzle to prevent fluid leakage around said nozzle exterior; said body having a lower groove adjacent the lower end of said nozzle; and an expansible and contractible annular member in: said lower groove engageable with said nozzle at its lower end to retain s'a'id' nozzle adjacen't' said shoulder and prevent downward movement of said nozzle from said enlarged b'or'e, said annular member being inser'tihl'e into and withdrawable' from said lower groove while said' cutter means is mounted on' said body.

3'. A jetting'device comprising a longitudinally extending body portion having a flow passage ther'etlirough for conducting fluid',t he discharge end of said passage being enlarged to provide an annular" shoulder, a wear resistant, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle of eircula'r cross-section slidabl'y positioned in said enlarged passage portion adjacent said shoulder and terminating within said body portion but proximate the end thereof, said nozzle having an internal diameter at its outlet portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle at-its' inlet' end, said body portion having a first annular" groove insaid' enlarged passage portion, an an'r'nilar's'eal in said groove engaging. the side exterior of said nozzle to prevent fluid flow around the exterior of said nozzle, said body portion having a second annular groove in said enlarged passage portion longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adjacent the said discharge end, and a snap ring positioned-in said second groove and abutting the end of said nozzle to'retain said nozzle adjacent said' shoulder and prevent outward movement of said noz-zle fromsaidpassage. I

4. A jetting deviceas defined in claim- 31 wherein the internal diameter of said nozzle gradually decreases toward the discharge end thereof.

5. In a rotary drill bit: a body member having cutter meansmounted thereon and a passage for discharging drillingfluid to'one side of said cutter means and against; the bottom of the well bore being drilled by the drill bit, the lower portion of said passage having an enlarged bore of circular cross-section providing a downwardly facing shoulderin upper end of said enlarged bore; said enlarged bore being disposed to one side of the-longitudinal-axis of the body member to provide access to saidenlarged bore with said cutter means mounted on said body member; a replaceable hard, brittle, substantialy non-machinable, molded nozzle member of circular cross-section adapted to he slipped upwardly and without rotation intosaid enlarged'bore with the upper end of said nozzle member adjacent said shoulder while said cutter meansis mounted on said body member; said nozzle member terminating within said body member but proximate the lower cnd'thereof and-having an internaldiameter at its lower portion substantially less than the intern'al diameter of said nozzle member at its upper: end; one of-said members having an annular groove therein at the: sideinterface of the members; an annular seal in said grooveengaging the side surface of the-other member to prevent fluid leakage between the members; and aremovable annular retainer member mounted in saidbody, member and engaging said body member and saidn'ozzle member at the lower end of said'nozzle member-to retain 'said'nozzle member adjacent said shoulder I nf and prevent downward movement of said nozzle member from said enlarged bore, said retainer member being adapted to be mounted in engagement with said body member and said nozzle member while said cutter means is mounted on said body member.

6. In a rotary drill bit: a body member having cutter means mounted thereon and a passage for discharging drilling fluid to one side of said cutter means and against the bottom of the well bore being drilled by the drill bit, the lower portion of said passage having an enlarged bore of circular cross-section providing a downwardly facing shoulder in the upper end of said enlarged bore; said enlarged bore being disposed to one side of the longitudinal axis of the body member to provide access to said enlarged bore With said cutter means mounted on said body member; a replaceable hard, brittle, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle member of circular cross-section adapted to be slipped upwardly and without rotation into said enlarged bore with the upper end of said nozzle member adjacent said shoulder while said cutter means is mounted on said body member; said nozzle member terminating within said body member but proximate the lower end thereof and having an internal diameter at its lower portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle member at its upper end; one of said members having an annular groove therein at the side interface of the members; an annular seal in said groove engaging the side surface of the other member to prevent fluid leakage between the members; said body member having a groove adjacent the lower end of said nozzle member; and an expansible and contractible annular member in said lower groove engageable with said nozzle member at its lower end to retain said nozzle member adjacent said shoulder and prevent downward movement of said nozzle member from said enlarged bore, said annular member being insertible into and withdrawable from said lower groove while said cutter means is mounted on said body member.

7. A jetting device comprising a longitudinally extend ing body member having a flow passage therethrough for conducting fluid, the discharge end of said passage being enlarged to provide an annular shoulder, a wear resistant, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle member of circular cross-section slidably positioned in said enlarged passage portion adjacent said shoulder and terminating within said body member but proximate the end thereof, said nozzle member having an internal diameter at its outlet portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle member at its inlet end, one of said members having a first annular groove at said enlarged passage portion and at the side interface of said members, an annular seal in said groove engaging the side surface of the other of said members to prevent fluid flow around the exterior of said nozzle member, said body member having a second annular groove in said enlarged passage portion longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adjacent the said discharge end, and a removable annular retainer member in said second groove and engaging said body member and nozzle member to retain said nozzle member adjacent said shoulder and prevent outward movement of said nozzle member from said passage.

8. A jetting device comprising a longitudinally extending body portion having a flow passage therethrough for conducting fluid, the discharge end of said passage being enlarged to provide an annular shoulder, a Wear resistant, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle of circular cross-section slidably positioned in said enlarged passage portion adjacent said shoulder and terminating within said body portion but proximate the end thereof, said nozzle having an internal diameter at its outlet portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle at its inlet end, said body portion having a first annular groove in said enlarged passage portion, an annular seal in said groove engaging the side exterior of said nozzle to prevent fluid flow around the exterior of said nozzle, said body portion having a second annular groove in said enlarged passage portion longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adjacent the said discharge end, and a removable annular retainer member positioned in said second groove and abutting said nozzle at the outer end of said nozzle to retain said nozzle adjacent said shoulder and prevent outward movement of said nozzle from said passage.

9. A jetting device comprising a longitudinally extending body portion having a flow passage therethrough for conducting fluid, the discharge end of said passage being enlarged to provide an annular shoulder, a wear resistant, substantially non-machinable, molded nozzle of circular cross-section slidably positioned in said enlarged passage portion adjacent said souldlder and terminating Within said body portion but proximate the end thereof, said nozzle having an internal diameter at its outlet portion substantially less than the internal diameter of said nozzle at its inlet end, a peripheral groove in said nozzle intermediate its ends, an annular seal in said groove engaging the side wall of said enlarged passage portion to prevent fluid flow around the exterior of the nozzle, said body portion having annular groove in said enlarged passage portion and adjacent the discharge end thereof, and a removable annular retainer member positioned in said annular groove and abutting said nozzle at its outer end to retain said nozzle adjacent said shoulder and prevent outward movement of said nozzle from said passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,949,049 Hopkins Feb. 27, 1934 1,995,389 Howard et al. Mar. 26, 1935 2,034,073 Wright Mar. 17, 1936 2,089,466 Catland Aug. 10, 1937 2,151,545 Zublin Mar. 21, 1939 2,279,129 Pennington Apr. 7, 1942 2,408,892 Stokes Oct. 8, 1946 2,440,452 Smith Apr. 27, 1948 2,589,888 Stampfl Mar. 18, 1952 2,755,598 Van Denburgh July 24, 1956 

